2020 NFL Preview & Predictions – NFC North
The Packers ran away with the NFC North last season, with the Vikings getting into the Playoffs as well. All 4 teams had busy off-seasons, but an argument could be made that none of them got better. Will they have multiple Playoff representatives this season? Let’s take a look.
Detroit Lions
2019 Record - 3-12-1
2019 Scoring Offense - 18th
2019 Rushing Offense - 21st
2019 Passing Offense - 10th
2019 Scoring Defense - 26th
2019 Rushing Defense - 21st
2019 Passing Defense - 32nd
Key Losses - CB Darius Slay, G Graham Glasgow, DT A'Shawn Robinson, OLB Devon Kennard, RT Ricky Wagner, TE Logan Thomas, QB Jeff Driskel, P Sam Martin, RB J.D. McKissic
Key Additions - OLB Jamie Collins, CB Desmond Trufant, S Duron Harmon, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, DT Nick Williams, QB Chase Daniel, DT Danny Shelton, WR Geronimo Allison
Draft Picks - CB Jeff Okudah, RB D'Andre Swift, DE Julian Okwara, G Jonah Jackson, G Logan Stenberg, WR Quintez Cephus, RB Jason Huntley, DT John Penisini, DT Jashon Cornell
Biggest Strength - Receiving corps (Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Jr., Danny Amendola, T.J. Hockenson)
Biggest Weakness - Defending the pass
Biggest Question - Will their revamped defense improve on their awful 2019 performance?
Notes - Revamped defense looking to improve on pitiful 2019
COVID – C Russell Bodine, WR Geronimo Allison, DT John Atkins opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 2-14
Chicago Bears
2019 Record - 8-8
2019 Scoring Offense - 29th
2019 Rushing Offense - 27th
2019 Passing Offense - 25th
2019 Scoring Defense - 4th
2019 Rushing Defense - 9th
2019 Passing Defense - 9th
Key Losses - S Kentrell Brice, OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, DT Nick Williams, QB Chase Daniel, FS HaHa Clinton-Dix, OLB Kevin Pierre-Louis, LT Cornelius Lucas, CB Prince Amukamara, TE Trey Burton, WR Taylor Gabriel
Key Additions - LB Robert Quinn, TE Jimmy Graham, QB Nick Foles, OT Germain Idefi
Draft Picks - TE Cole Kmet, CB Jaylon Johnson, DE Trevis Gipson, CB Kindle Vildor, WR Darnell Mooney, OT Arlington Hambright, G Lachavious Simmons
Biggest Strength - Defensive front seven (Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Robert Quinn)
Biggest Weakness - Mitchell Trubisky
Biggest Question - Will Nick Foles make a difference…as a starter, or as a kick in the ass for Mitchell Trubisky?
Notes - Top 5 defense…bottom 5 offense
COVID – S Jordan Lucas opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 3-13
Minnesota Vikings
2019 Record - 10-6
2019 Scoring Offense - 8th
2019 Rushing Offense - 6th
2019 Passing Offense - 23rd
2019 Scoring Defense - 5th
2019 Rushing Defense - 13th
2019 Passing Defense - 15th
Key Losses - WR Stefon Diggs, CB Trae Waynes, DT Linval Joseph, DE Stephen Weatherly, CB Mackensie Alexander, CB Xavier Rhodes, SS Andrew Sendejo
Key Additions - DT Michael Pierce
Draft Picks - WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney, OT Ezra Cleveland, CB Cameron Dantzler, DE D.J. Wonnum, DT James Lynch, LB Troy Dye, CB Harrison Hand, WR K.J. Osborn, OT Blake Brandel, S Josh Metellus, DE Kenny Willekes, QB Nate Stanley, S Brian Cole II, G Kyle Hinton
Biggest Strength - Running game
Biggest Weakness - Rushing the Quarterback
Biggest Question - How much will the loss of Stefon Diggs hurt their passing game?
Notes - Even with the loss of Stefon Diggs, this offense is still loaded
COVID – DT Michael Pierce opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 9-7
Green Bay Packers
2019 Record - 13-3
2019 Scoring Offense - 15th
2019 Rushing Offense - 15th
2019 Passing Offense - 16th
2019 Scoring Defense - 9th
2019 Rushing Defense - 23rd
2019 Passing Defense - 14th
Key Losses - ILB Blake Martinez, RT Bryan Bulaga, TE Jimmy Graham, OLB Kyler Fackrell, ILB B.J. Goodson, WR Geronimo Allison, CB Tramon Williams
Key Additions - ILB Christian Kirksey, RT Ricky Wagner, WR Devin Funchess
Draft Picks - QB Jordan Love, RB AJ Dillon, TE Josiah Deguara, LB Kamal Martin, OT Jon Runyan, C Jake Hanson, OT Simon Stepaniak, S Vernon Scott, DE Jonathan Garvin
Biggest Strength - The Aarons (Rodgers & Jones)
Biggest Weakness - Stopping the run
Biggest Question - Will any Packers Wide Receiver step up to be a legitimate #2 or #3?
Notes - In 2019, they were statistically the worst 13-3 team in NFL history; Aaron Rodgers is still the best Quarterback on the planet
COVID – WR Devin Funchess opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 11-5 DIVISION WINNER
Now, tell me what you think!!!
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